Bristol City are about to complete the acquisition of Swedish defender Noah Eile from Red Bull New York.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the centre-back would join Ashton Gate in the last days of the January transfer window, with a replacement sought for the departing Zak Vyner.

The Robins are trying to strengthen their backline for the remainder of the Championship season, with the goal of securing another play-off spot.

The 23-year-old Eile, who is 6ft 5in tall, made 30 games in MLS last season, starting 29 of them, as the squad placed 10th in the Eastern Conference and 18th overall; he is now reportedly on his way to England.

Bristol City closes near on a £3 million deal with the New York Red Bulls.

As previously reported, Bristol City has reached an agreement with the New York Red Bulls worth $4.2 million (£3.09 million) for Noah Eile ahead of Monday’s 7pm deadline.

The Sweden under-21 international has given the go-ahead to complete the transfer, and the Robins will now try to finalize it before the transfer window closes at 7 p.m. on February 2.

This window, the Championship side has already signed George Earthy and Delano Burgzorg on loan, as well as youthful Manchester City left-backs Seb Naylor and Sam Morsy on permanent basis.

Gerhard Struber’s squad is not yet complete, since Eile is slated to join them as a long-term replacement for Zak Vyner.

As reported on Friday, academy graduate Vyner is set to join Championship rivals Wrexham for £1.5 million, leaving a gap in Gerhard Struber’s defensive lineup.

And City could certainly use some positive moves in the last stretch of the transfer window, after losing 5-0 at home to Derby County on Friday night, denting their play-off prospects and infuriating the fans – Eile’s projected arrival should assist matters.

Bristol City’s recruitment of Noah Eile is a gamble, but one that is necessary.

Bristol City have taken a chance on Eile, who is yet to make his mark on English football after spending two seasons in the MLS.

However, he came up through the ranks at Malmo in his home Sweden and spent two seasons in the Allsvenskan with Mjallby, which has become a well-trodden path into English football in recent years, with several EFL firms betting on Scandinavian-based players.

Eile is also only 23 years old, so he has plenty of time to improve and develop in the coming years, and he might be worth much more than the £3 million cost if he performs well.

Signing an unknown quantity for the Championship is a risk, but it could prove to be a wise decision in the long term.